- The unmissable trade show for the northern hospitality community returns to Manchester this March. Here’s what to expect
lunch! NORTH
lunch! NORTH is an exciting new event, held in Manchester, celebrating innovation and excellence in the Northern food and drink scene, and fostering relationships between producers, experts, buyers and retailers
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This March, the North’s café, coffee shop and food-to-go sectors will once again take centre stage as lunch! NORTH returns for its second year, continuing to build momentum as the region’s dedicated trade show for innovation, insight and expertise.
Taking place at Manchester Central on 10th to 11th March 2026, lunch! NORTH builds on the success of its debut year, bringing together professionals from across the café, coffee and food-to-go industries.
Co-located with the well-established Northern Restaurant & Bar (NRB26), lunch! NORTH offers hospitality professionals a unique opportunity to explore emerging trends, connect with leading suppliers and hear from some of the most respected voices in the sector. Together, the two shows create an unrivalled platform for the northern hospitality community.
Early speaker announcements
The first keynote speakers have now been revealed, with more names and sessions to be announced soon.
Confirmed speakers include Nick Ayerst, managing director of GAIL’s, who will take part in a keynote interview on the second day of the show. Ayerst will discuss the brand’s continued expansion and growth strategy, with GAIL’s set to open up to 40 new sites in 2026 following his appointment as managing director in 2025.
The Coffee Shop Leaders Panel will feature Matt Farrell, co-founder of Bold Street Coffee, the Liverpool-founded speciality coffee brand which now operates six sites across Liverpool, Manchester and Derbyshire.
The Marketing Leaders Panel will include Annabel Mackie, marketing director at itsu, who will share insight into how food-to-go brands can cut through in 2026 and beyond. itsu operates more than 70 restaurants across the UK and continues to expand into new formats and locations beyond the traditional high street, as part of its wider growth and diversification strategy.
Additional keynote interviews, panel discussions, research insights and live sessions will be announced in the lead-up to the show.
Further speaker announcements and the evolving programme can be found at lunchnorth.co.uk.
Register now for your free trade ticket and join the North’s café, coffee and food-to-go community this March.
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